RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 349, 31 July 1930, Page 1

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

MATAMATA COMMITTEE. Executive Meeting. The first meeting of the executive of the recently' resuscitated Mata--1 mata district branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was held 'fat Tirau on Thursday night, when the following members attended: Messrs. G. G. Griffiths (chairman), G. G. Bell (secretary), T. E. McMillan (assistant-secretary), J*. E. Mclntyre (treasurer), D. Waterson, of Matamata; C. G. Payze, Peria; F. Rose, G. W. Seton, Tirau; Rev. G. H. Marr, J. R. O. Lochhead, * Putaruru; H. Wall, Te Poi; D. B. Higgins, Okauia. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. Barlow, Waharoa, and C. D. Brbwn, Putaruru. A reply was received from the Minister of Defence stating that the representations made by the annual meeting urging that the full recommendations of the Rehabilitation Commission be given effect to would receive careful consideration. Unemployment. Mr. Seton stated that as a result of the wire sent from the, Tirau reunion to the Prime Minister with regard to unemployment, he had reCeived a ring from the Public Works District Engineer asking for the names of any returned soldiers who were out of work. The 'speaker stated that he had told the engineer that a wrong interpretation had been placed on the wire, as it referred to unemployment in general ahd not specifically to this district. He had further told him that a meeting would be held shortly when he would find out if any local men need- . ed employmentjjfc Mr. Higgins stated a returned soldier had just left his farm looking for work. Mr. Lochhead stated an ex-naval man had called upon him looking for work. / The secretary was instructed to forward the names and any others received to the district engineer. Rules. The question of rules for the branch was then introduced by the secretary, Mr. Bell, and occupied the attention of the meeting for two . hours. The draft was taken rule by rule, and some of the alterations made were as follow: ' On the motion of Messrs. Mclntyre ■ and Rose, it was decided that no honorary members be elected. Mr. Rose, in stressing the need for this alteration, stated that he felt that no sympathiser would withhold / financial or other support simply because he could not become an honorary member. On the other hand there Was grave danger in discriminating as to who should be appointed honorary members and who should not have the honour. On the motion of Messrs. Seton and Waterson, it was decided that nurses be given free membership and free badges. It Was decided, on the motion of Messrs. Bell and Mclntyre, that new t members be nominated by two existP ing members.

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On the motion of Mclntyre and Rose, it was decided that members whose subscriptions remain unpaid'after three months forfeit their membership. (The national rule stipulates 30 days). I It was decided, the executive be given power to elect local committees .where necessary. On the motion of Messrs. Mclntyre and Bell, it was decided that meetings be held every two months, except that the chairman be given power to call meetings more often if considered necessary, and that seven days* notice be given. A cominittee consisting of the chairman, secretary and one member of the committee was set up to deal with urgent cases, on the motion of Messrs. Mclntyre and Higgins. General. On the motion of Messrs. Lochhead and Rose, the president, secretary and treasurer were appointed to sign the rules as adopted for the purposes of incorporation and affiliation.